Ajay Bijli is a pioneering entrepreneur and business leader who founded and built PVR Cinemas into India’s largest chain of multiplexes, fundamentally heralding a paradigm shift in the Indian cinema industry. Driven by a lifelong love for the cinema, his strategic vision and innovative thinking have made him a highly influential figure in the entertainment and retail sectors.
The journey began in 1988 when Bijli took over his father's single cinema hall, Priya Cinema. After a successful revamp, he co-founded PVR Cinemas in 1995 as a joint venture, launching the first 4-screen complex in 1997. Today, PVR has a formidable presence with 597 screens in 128 locations across 51 Indian cities and has diversified into film exhibition, distribution, and production. This incredible growth showcases his mastery of business transformation and execution.
A highly strategic and innovative thinker, Bijli is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and his leadership has been widely recognized. He was named a Young Global Leader (2007) by the World Economic Forum and was awarded the ‘E&Y Entrepreneurial Award’ for Business Transformation in 2013. He has served as a founding member of the FICCI Multiplex Association of India and is a member of the Central Board of Film Certification.
As a speaker, Ajay Bijli draws on his vast experience to share his vision of bringing the best movie-going experience to cinemagoers. His presentations delve into the strategies and innovations that enabled PVR to achieve exponential growth, providing corporate audiences with crucial insights on leadership, strategic thinking, and the power of a clear vision to disrupt and dominate a traditional industry.
